The nightlife industry launches an app to access venues safely

The announcement was made within the framework of the 7th International Nightlife Congress held last Monday at Marina Beach Club in Valencia (Spain), where other topics such as virtual reality and the Global Nighttime Recovery Plan (GNRP) were discussed.

The event concluded with the Golden Moon Awards Gala in which a special award was granted to all medical personnel and law enforcement officials worldwide

 

Representatives of the nightlife sector from all around the world met virtually this past Monday in Valencia (Spain) in the framework of the 7th International Nightlife Congress which was broadcasted from the well-known Marina Beach Club Valencia. This event, which in its seventh edition was held for the first time in a virtual format due to the exceptional circumstances arising from the pandemic, dealt with matters of the utmost interest to the nightlife industry worldwide, and the newest breakthrough developments for the industry were made public.  The event had the support of the Spanish nightlife association Spain Nightlife, the Valencian Community Tourism Board, Visit Valencia, the Valencian Hospitality Federation (FEHV), the Hospitality and Tourism Business Confederation of the Valencian Region (CONHOSTUR), among other entities and sponsors such as Pepsi Max Zero, Schweppes and Roku Gin.

The sector announces the launch of an app that will allow for safe access to its venues

One of the most important announcements that took place on Monday in the framework of the congress took place during the panel about pilot testing to achieve a safe reopening of venues. Within the framework of said panel, Joaquim Boadas, General Secretary of the International Nightlife Association announced the reach of an agreement with the company that has developed the app called "LibertyPass", which allows to carry out a rapid antigen test and therefore allowing access to an event or venue safely within the next 72 hours after the test is conducted. As Joaquim Boadas explained, "The launching of this app may be the definitive solution for nightlife venues to reopen safely as it guarantees the creation of a safe environment for those attending it. All of this thanks to a quick test and a QR code that enables a person to attend all the events they want to during the 72 hours following the test " A formula similar to the one presented by the INA was proposed by Lutz Leichsenring, Creative Strategist of the Berlin Club Commission and Vibe Lab, also through rapid antigen tests that generates a QR code. On his behalf, Marc Galdon, Founder of the Chinese tourism school (Escuela Turismo Chino) and Brand Manager in Bar Rouge - with locations in Shanghai and Singapore, described how the industry had been reactivated in mainland China through a QR code system that also includes GPS tracking, mentioning that "Now in mainland China the industry is now open, and we have the opportunity of using bars and restaurants as the first line of detection of possible COVID cases in a coordinated effort with the authorities." Lastly, Camilo Ospina, President of the Colombian Bar Association (Asobares Colombia), explained pilot testing carried out in the aforementioned country between the Government and the industry in order to achieve a safe reopening, which is having a very good result.
 

In the United States, 90% of independent venues at risk of closure, and in Europe urgent aid will be requested from Brussels

Riccardo Tarantoli participated in the panel on legal, commercial, and economic solutions to counteract the restrictions imposed on the industry as a result of the pandemic, representing Maurizio Pasca, President of the European Nightlife Association (ENA) and the Italian Nightlife Association (SILB-FIPE), and Nicos Vassiliou, President of the Cyprus Nightlife Association, who called for unity in the industry and announced that aid will be claimed directly from Brussels through the European Nightlife Association. For his part, Juan Carlos Diaz, President of the American Nightlife Association, called for a rescue plan for the industry in the United States, since according to his forecasts "90% of independent venues will be forced to shut down if aid does not arrive urgently ". Rick Alfaro, CEO of the company Earthnauts, participated in the panel on virtual reality and new technologies, who highlighted the need to create sensory experiences to bring new sensations to the nightlife public. David Franzén, CEO of Nocto International, explained what the newest nightlife tool Nocto consists of, an app that creates a network between users and venues in a city to promote their activity and provide safe data to its users such as the possibility of knowing if a venue is at full capacity or not before attending. 
 

The nightlife sector sends and SOS but governments are not responding to its needs

The last panel of Congress dealt with how to reactivate the nightlife industry, one of the hardest-hit economic sectors by this health crisis. In the same, under the title "Strategies to Reactivate the Nightlife Industry". Chapter Leads form the Global Nighttime Recovery Plan (GNRP), such as Lutz Leichsenring, Creative Strategist of the Berlin Club Commission and Vibe Lab, Alistair Turnham, Founder of MAKE Associates, Leni Schwendinger, Founder and Creative Director of the International Nighttime Design Initiative, Michael Fichman, an expert in urban planning from the University of Pennsylvania, Nandor Petrovics, Ph.D. Candidate of Corvinus University and, lastly, Diana Raiselis, researcher of cultural and nightlife policy at the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. This panel highlighted the lack of involvement of governments and local administrations at a global level to save the culture and nightlife of many cities around the world, and it was warned that these will lose attractiveness and economic potential if the entertainment venues disappear.

The event concluded with the 6th edition of the Golden Moon Awards, which, among different categories, include the Golden Moon Award granted to all health personnel in the world and law enforcement officials from around the world for their involvement in the fight against the pandemic. 
 

The winners in the different categories were:

1. Most supportive government during the pandemic: MINISTERIO DE COMERCIO, INDUSTRIA Y TURISMO (GOVERNMENT OF COLOMBIA)
2. Most innovative tool for nightlife during the pandemic: NOCTO APP
3. Best collaborative project in defense of nightlife in times of pandemic: GLOBAL NIGHTTIME RECOVERY PLAN (GNRP)
4. Best act of excellence and protection of client's and worker's health: MARINA BEACH CLUB VALENCIA
5. Best solidary act in defense of nightlife during the pandemic: NYC NIGHTLIFE UNITED
6. Best movement in defense of nightlife during the pandemic: SAVE NIGHTLIFE CAMPAIGN by NTIA 
7. Special award for merit and the fight against the pandemic: ALL HEALTHCARE PERSONNEL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS WORLDWIDE

As you all know, the International Nightlife Association annually organizes the International Nightlife Congress and Golden Moon Awards, in order to create a forum to exchange ideas and offer the proper tools to nightlife business owners and collaborators and, at the same time, recognize different players of the industry. Due to the wake of the pandemic, it's no surprise that holding in-person events is very difficult at the moment due to many restrictions on traveling but, despite all, the INA could not give up on the celebration of its yearly events. As a result, this year the INA is going to hold its annual event likewise although virtually.  What refers to the 7th edition of the International Nightlife Congress, it will be hosted virtually from Marina Beach Club in Valencia, Spain through a tailored streaming platform, including different live sessions at different times of the day in order to engage panelists from different continents and so that everyone from around the world could tune in and interact.

In said congress sessions, there will be different panels with renowned players in the industry to discuss topics of interest at the moment such as: 

1. Legal strategies adopted in different countries to appeal against venue restrictions 
2. Collaborative models for reopening nightlife spaces safely.
3. Virtual Reality, streaming, and nightlife. A useful tool for the future? 
4. Strategies to get clients back on the dancefloor after reopening

These sessions will allow for anyone to tune in and will also encourage participants to ask live questions during the panel that will be answered towards the end of each conversation thanks to a moderator.  Finally, the event will conclude with the 6th Golden Moon Awards, where different players in nightlife are recognized for their achievements and role in the industry. The only difference will be that this year we won't be releasing a new list of "The World's 100 Best Clubs" but the jury is studying to extend 2019's list for one more year in order to honor all of those clubs suffering the consequences of the pandemic, In any case, the Golden Moon Awards 2020 will "relive" last year's list. The award categories tailored specifically to this year's 6th Golden Moon Awards include: 

1. Most supportive government during the pandemic 
2. Most innovative tool for nightlife during the pandemic 
3. Best collaborative project in defense of nightlife in times of the pandemic 
4. Best act of excellence and protection of client's and worker's health
5. Best solidary act in defense of nightlife throughout the pandemic 
6. Best movement in defense of nightlife in the middle of the pandemic

 

Please stay tuned for more information! 

The highly anticipated list of "The World's 100 Best Clubs"  will be announced once more by the International Nightlife Association during the 5th edition of the Golden Moon Awards Gala which will take place in Bogotá on November 13. This prestigious annual ranking is produced by combining 30% of the public votes and 70% of the professional jury, that is made up of 7 experts in the industry from different countries. The jury will take into consideration aspects such as DJ line-up, security measures, VIP services, possibility and ease of making online reservations, national or international awards received, acoustic quality, decoration, comfort, quality of service, soundproofing and commitment to the enviornment, among other aspects.  Besides releasing the list of "The World's 100 Best Clubs" 2019, at the same award ceremony the Golden Moon Award 2019 for Best Nightlife Business Group, Best Nightlife Executive, Best Action in Defense of Nightlife, Best in Technology and Nightlife and Best Awareness Raising Campaign will be given. Last but not least, the Golden Moon Award for "The World's Best Club 2019" will be also handed out. In last year's edition, also held in Bogotá, Hï Ibiza was proclaimed "The World's Best Club 2018". 
                                                                            
Previous to the Golden Moon Awards, for sixth consecutive edition, the International Nightlife Congress  will take place. Both events will be held together with the ExpoBar Fair, Colombia’s most important nightlife event. The Congress will start off by discussing the "Nightclub of the Future" followed by the panel "Gastronomy and Nightlife".  The Nightclub of the Future The first conference under the heading, "The Nightclub of the Future” will discuss the future of nightclubs and nightlife venues when it comes to implementing new technologies such as holograms, live streaming and DJ bookings.  For his part, Mr. Rick Alfaro, Director of Earthnauts, will speak about the all the new technology apicable to nightlife venues such as holograms and 3-D technology.  Additionally, Mr. David López, Assistant Director of the Costa Este Nightlife Group, will discuss the importance on online DJ live streaming.  Gastronomy and Nightlife In the second block of conferences, which will be presented under the title of "Gastronomy and Nightlife", will include the participation of Mr. Joaquim Boadas, Secretary General of the International Nightlife Association, which will present the international excellence distinction called "GASTROMOON" that fuses haute gastronomy and nightlife. 
 
In the same conference will participate Mr. Ragnar Fridriksson, General Manager of the World Association of Chefs Societies. The conference will also have Mr. Hayan Abou Assali, General Manager of Cavalli Club Dubai, first club in the World to be distinguished with a "GASTROMOON".  Expobar 2019 Expobar 2019 will gather the main entrepreneurs of the nightlife sector of Colombia and the world accompanied by different public entities and private companies with the goal of sharing experiences, challenges and solutions that lead to the creation of a consolidated and articulated music tourism product with the different protagonists of the nocturnal, music and tourist industries of Colombia and their positioning.  Expobar will host numerous conferences including topics such as LGTBI+, women in the nightlife industry, the importance of cocktail diversity, to name a few. For all those who are interested in attending the 6^th International Congress of Nightlife and the 5^th Expobar Fair, you can visit our website www.international-nightlife.com or click on the button below. We are pleased to attach an image of the event. For more information you can call (+34) 902.099.500 or (+34) 670.703.370 visit www.feriaexpobar.com or send an e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Bogotá will host the 6th International Nightlife Congress, 5th Golden Moon Awards and 6th ExpoBAR Fair on November 13th On said date, the list of "The World's 100 Best Clubs" 2019 will be released. These events will be held at Theatron, Gold Member venue of the International Nightlife Association

We are pleased to announce that for the second year in a row the city of Bogotá (Colombia) will host the 6^th International Nightlife Congress and the 5^th Golden Moon Awards on November 13^th, together with the 6th Colombia’s ExpoBar Fair, organized by the Colombian Nightlife Association, Asobares.  ExpoBar is Colombia’s most important nighttime entertainment event with more than 3.000 attendees including representatives of the industry, staff, authorities and sponsors creating a forum where key issues are discussed and possible solutions are provided relating to Colombia's nightlife industry. The chosen venue for said events is Theatron Bogotá, who recently became a Gold Member of the International Nightlife Association.  As you may know, the INA holds an annual international congress and awards ceremony and has decided to celebrate this year’s edition once again jointly with Asobares and the 6^th edition of the ExpoBar Fair. During the evening of November 13^th , the International Nightlife Association will host the 5th Golden Moon Awards where among other awards, the list of “The World’s 100 Best Clubs 2019” will be released. The World's Best Club position is currently occupied by Hï Ibiza.  Asobares' president, Mr. Camilo Ospina Guzmán stated today, "We are very happy that the most important nightlife fair in Colombia comes together again with the most important nightlife congress in the world to hold a big event that will have a notable influence on nightlife all over the world". According to Mr. Joaquim Boadas de Quintana, Secretary General of the International Nightlife Association, "We are proud to hold our annual event together once more with ExpoBAR, hosted by our member association in Colombia, Asobares. I would also like to make an appeal to the leading nightlife businesses in the world to take part in these events, since they will mark a trend towards the future of our sector at a worldwide level".

Bogotá will host the 6th International Nightlife Congress, 5th Golden Moon Awards and 6th ExpoBAR Fair on November 13th On said date, the list of "The World's 100 Best Clubs" 2019 will be released. These events will be held at Theatron, Gold Member venue of the International Nightlife Association

 

We are pleased to announce that for the second year in a row the city of Bogotá (Colombia) will host the 6^th International Nightlife Congress and the 5^th Golden Moon Awards on November 13^th, together with the 6th Colombia’s ExpoBar Fair, organized by the Colombian Nightlife Association, Asobares. 

ExpoBar is Colombia’s most important nighttime entertainment event with more than 3.000 attendees including representatives of the industry, staff, authorities and sponsors creating a forum where key issues are discussed and possible solutions are provided relating to Colombia's nightlife industry. The chosen venue for said events is Theatron Bogotá, who recently became a Gold Member of the International Nightlife Association.  As you may know, the INA holds an annual international congress and awards ceremony and has decided to celebrate this year’s edition once again jointly with Asobares and the 6^th edition of the ExpoBar Fair. During the evening of November 13^th , the International Nightlife Association will host the 5th Golden Moon Awards where among other awards, the list of “The World’s 100 Best Clubs 2019” will be released. The World's Best Club position is currently occupied by Hï Ibiza.  Asobares' president, Mr. Camilo Ospina Guzmán stated today, "We are very happy that the most important nightlife fair in Colombia comes together again with the most important nightlife congress in the world to hold a big event that will have a notable influence on nightlife all over the world". According to Mr. Joaquim Boadas de Quintana, Secretary General of the International Nightlife Association, "We are proud to hold our annual event together once more with ExpoBAR, hosted by our member association in Colombia, Asobares. I would also like to make an appeal to the leading nightlife businesses in the world to take part in these events, since they will mark a trend towards the future of our sector at a worldwide level".

 

U.S.A. and Spain prevail in the number of clubs nominated The list will be made public in Bogotá, Colombia on November 14 at the 4th Golden Moon Awards Gala 

Dear all, With three days left to nominate, a total of 278 venues have been nominated so far by the International Nightlife Association to enter "The World's 100 Best Clubs 2018" list. The countries leading the list are The United States of America with 48 nominations and Spain with 52. Other countries with nominated clubs are the United Kingdom with 18 nominations and Brazil and China with 11. Together, these countries are leading the way in nominations for the Golden Moon Awards' “The World's Best Club 2018” prize. In all, 278 establishments have been nominated from a diverse list of countries like United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Colombia, Belgium, Russia, South Africa, Thailand, Germany, Japan, Philippines, Italy, India and Argentina among others. Nominations are still open until the 31st of August and have to be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Regarding the most famous international nightlife spots, Ibiza, host of last year's Golden Moon Awards, takes the lead with 15 nominated clubs—Hï, Ushuaïa, DC10, Blue Marlin, Heart, Km5, Amnesia, Pacha, Lío, Café Mambo, Ocean Beach, Destino, Nassau Beach Club, Sankeys and Privilege—to the list of the nominees. Las Vegas, host of the event in 2016, presents 14 nominees of its own—Omnia, Hakkasan, XS, Jewel, Foxtail SLS, Marquee, Drai's, Surrender, TAO, Light Mandalay Bay, Hyde  at Bellagio, 1OAK, Intrigue at Wynn, and Vanity— so the race is a close one. For each of the contending clubs the goal is the same: when winners are announced November 14, either crack The World's 100 Best Clubs list, or top it, taking home "The World's Best Club 2018" title. The list of "The World's 100 Best Clubs 2018" will be determined based on the votes casted beginning on September the 5th, the link to the voting page will be published on the International Nightlife Association's website. The popular vote will represent 30% of the final tally. The remaining percentage will be determined by a panel of experts who will weigh a host of factors including the clubs' 2018 agenda, security measures, VIP services, availability and ease of online booking, national and international awards or distinctions achieved, on-site acoustics and green commitment. The jury will include nightlife insiders, beverage industry experts, tour operators  executives and INA members. In a statement today, INA's General Secretary, Joaquim Boadas described the contest as a way “to encourage and incentivise nightclubs of the world to crack or even top this list”. To do that, he said, there are a multitude of options at the clubs' disposal including “investing in and upgrading facilities, services and security to make them more competitive, appealing and safe”. Boadas said such improvements would mean increased benefits for clubbers and greater prestige for the industry—“our ultimate endgame,” he confided. At last year's gala in Ibiza, the top spot went to Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel, and 2016's number-one champs, Omnia Las Vegas were runners-up. Third and fourth place went to South Korea's Zouk and Las Vegas' Hakkassan. Among the other distinctions, the Golden Moon Awards will announce winners in categories like Most Developed Nightlife Business, Best Outreach and Most Nightlife-Friendly Administration. The awards, says Joaquim Boadas, "aim to improve the image of a hugely important—and famously undervalued—sector for economies and tourism". The awards gala is just one part of the 5th International Nightlife Congress, an event that enlists a broad assortment of global industry experts in unpacking  big questions currently facing the industry, including nightlife quality, music tourism and success stories like Ibiza's. The Congress welcomes speakers like Paul Seres, Former President and Founding Trustee and current Vice President of the New York City Hospitality Alliance, Juan Carlos Díaz, President of American Nightlife Association, José Luís Benítez, President of the International Nightlife Association and Director of Institutional Relations at Palladium Hotel Group, David López Assistant director of Costa Este Hospitality Group and Camilo Ospina, President of Asobares (Colombian Nightlife Association).  If you would like to propose a nomination of any club to enter the list or you are interested in attending the International Nightlife Congress and Golden Moon Awards, please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For more information contact us at (+34) 902.099.500 or (+34) 670.703.370 or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

We are pleased to announce that the city of Bogotá (Colombia) will host the 5^th International Nightlife Congress and the 4^th Golden Moon Awards on November 14^th together with Colombia’s ExpoBar Fair. Last week in Ibiza, the President of the International Nightlife Association (INA), José Luis Benítez and the President of the Nightlife Association of Colombia (ASOBARES), Camilo Ospina agreed to collaborate. As you may know, the INA holds an annual international congress and awards ceremony and has decided to celebrate this year’s edition jointly with the 5^th edition of the ExpoBar Fair. ExpoBar is Colombia’s most important nighttime entertainment event with more than 3.000 attendees including representatives of the industry, staff, authorities and sponsors.In the aforementioned meeting between the two representatives, the entry of ASOBARES Colombia (Colombian Nightlife Association) into the International Nightlife Association was also agreed on, strengthening the international association. Currently, the INA has worldwide representation in 8 countries (United States, Spain, France, Italy, Belgium, United Arab Emirates, Mexico and Colombia) and the upcoming incorporations of Japan and India, adding up to over 13,000 establishments. On behalf of the International Nightlife Association, we would like to welcome ASOBARES Colombia as a new active member and thank you for your willingness and hospitality in allowing the INA to jointly celebrate our international events at its annual Fair.The 5^th International Nightlife Congress will deal with key issues such as safety, noise pollution, music tourism, quality and excellence, all with internationally renowned speakers, who are in turn guests of Expobar, the host of all events. The main subject of the International Congress will be the "Triple Excellence in Nightlife", a triple quality distinction granted by the INA to those venues & clubs that meet a series of requirements in terms of safety, acoustics and quality of service after a meticulous inspection. It should be noted that Bogotá, host capital of our next event, has issued the "Sello Seguro", a standard public certification issued by the City for venues that meet established requirements and will be up for debate in our International Congress.During the evening of November 14^th , the International Nightlife Association will release the list of the “World’s 100 Best Clubs 2018” followed by the official event closure of Expobar hosted by ASOBARES and tourism authorities of Bogotá. The Colombian capital will be the hub of the nightlife industry by officially unveiling the prestigious list of the most important nightclubs in the world, including the “World's Best Club 2018”, a position currently held by Ushuaïa Ibiza. As of today, as candidates enter this prestigious list there is a total of 195 clubs from 33 different countries. Nominations are currently open until August 30th. For the moment, the United States has 34 nominee clubs, Spain 26, Italy 15, the UK 14 and Brazil with 7 candidates respectively. These are the countries that presently bring the most candidates together in their respective territories to clinch the Golden Moon Award for "The World's Best Club". These 195 venues nominates to date from countries as varied as Arab, Singapore, Sweden, Czech Republic, Russia, Malta, Japan, Argentina, and recently Colombia among others.The voting method for the list is made up of 70% of the vote from a professional jury (composed of a group of professionals linked to the world of the nightlife and managers of beverage brands, executives from the world of tourism and members of the Association) while 30% is popular through social networks which will start voting on September 14^th, a vote that will remain open until November 4th, that is, up to 10 days before of the event in Bogotá, Colombia.The listing in this prestigious list has the addition of the musical programmes of the premises during the year, multiple aspects as the number of clients, the security measures, the VIP services offered, online bookings, operational good practices, received recognitions, acoustic quality and commitment to the United Nations Objectives such as respect for the environment, gender equality and working conditions.According to Joaquim Boadas de Quintana, Secretary General of the International Nightlife Association, "... through this event, we want to promote and motivate nightlife venues from all over the world to compete with each other and obtain a rank in this prestigious list and maybe even lead it, investing in excellence in all aspects, facilities, services and security measures that makes them more competitive, attractive and safe, which in turn will result in benefits for users and will improve the reputation and prestige of the sector, which is our ultimate goal ".We are pleased to attach a picture last week’s event in Ibiza with the President of the International Nightlife Association Mr. José Luis Benítez (right), the President of the Association of Bars of Colombia, ASOBARES, Mr. Camilo Ospina (left), in the entry of ASOBARES into the International Nightlife Association as agreed as well as the joint celebration for this year of Expobar and the International Nightlife Congress and the Golden Moon Awards.For more information, call (+34) 902.099.500 or (+34) 670.703.370.

 

Con este fin nació 4 años atrás el International Nightlife Congress, que desde entonces promueve el diálogo entre los agentes implicados...
El resto de la historia en tendencias.tv/people/musica/international-nightlife-congress-ibiza

 

 

The International Nightlife Congress that reached its 5th edition this year was held at the Sutton Club in Bogotá (Colombia) on November 14th together with the ExpoBar Fair, Colombia’s most important nightlife event. The Congress commenced by discussing the evolution and trends of the nightlife industry in different parts of the world and the quality seals applicable to the private and public sector and especially the International Triple Excellence for Nightlife and its compatibility with other existing national certifications in different countries.